Audi is gearing up for a major shake-up at the bottom end of its lineup. With the A1 hatchback and Q2 crossover both heading for retirement next year, the brand’s entry point into the premium segment is about to get a jolt—literally. Spy shots have captured Audi testing a new compact EV that’s set to fill the void, and from the looks of it, this might just be the spiritual successor to the long-lost A2.
At first glance, the prototype looks like a scaled-down Q4 e-tron, but there’s something familiar in its proportions—short overhangs, upright stance, and clean surfacing that harks back to the aluminum-bodied A2 of the early 2000s. Back then, Audi’s forward-thinking hatch was ahead of its time—lightweight, aerodynamic, and obsessively engineered. It sold poorly, but today’s EV age might finally be the right moment for that idea to come good.
A Name from the Past, Tech from the Future
Audi isn’t saying what the new model will be called, though CEO Gernot Döllner hinted to Autocar that reviving a historic badge is “thinkable.” Betting odds say the A2 nameplate is the favorite, and it would fit the brand’s recent trend of tightening its portfolio around clean, logical naming.
Under the skin, the compact EV will ride on the Volkswagen Group’s MEB platform, the same architecture underpinning the VW ID.3, Cupra Tavascan, and Audi’s own Q4 e-tron. That means we can expect battery options ranging from around 58 kWh to 79 kWh, with range figures likely stretching toward 360 miles in its most efficient form. Performance versions could borrow from the Skoda Elroq vRS, which produces up to 335 horsepower—a tempting prospect for anyone who thinks small EVs should still be fun.
Less Volume, More Vision
The new model also marks a philosophical shift for Audi. Döllner has made it clear that the brand will simplify its lineup, focusing less on chasing every market niche and more on offering clarity to customers. In practice, that means Audi will exit the smallest combustion-engine segments and let VW, Cupra, and Skoda handle the entry-level crowd with cars like the ID. Polo, Raval, and Epiq. Audi, meanwhile, will concentrate on what it does best—premium design, advanced tech, and that understated sense of sophistication.
“There are not many brands in the world that can, but I think Audi can have a true premium offer in the A-segment,” Döllner said.
Electric Minimalism, Audi Style
Expect a cabin that leans heavily on Audi’s latest design language: sustainable materials, minimalistic controls, and digital interfaces inspired by the brand’s larger EVs. The car’s size—somewhere between a hatchback and a crossover—should make it a strong contender in Europe’s urban EV market, where space efficiency and badge prestige are both key selling points.
What’s Next
The camouflaged prototypes seen testing suggest a launch is still some distance off, but we wouldn’t be surprised to see a concept preview sometime in 2025, followed by a production debut in 2026.
If Audi gets this right, the new EV could do what the original A2 never managed: make small truly premium—and this time, profitable.
Source: Autocar